Interview: Daniel Toney talks “Mine” (or “Unapologetically Autistic”)

July 2023

Billed as “a one-man show about life as a neurotypical adult, covering diagnosis, social situations, media portrayal and all the curve balls that life can throw at you”, Daniel Toney’s “Mine” (or “Unapologetically Autistic”) promises a neat 60 minutes of insight into autism. The show will be playing at the Canal Cafe Theatre from 18th-20th August as part of the Camden Fringe and here, Daniel chats about the intent of the show, why it’s important to speak frankly rather than treading on eggshells, and the change he’d like to see in the industry…

So how did “Mine” (or “Unapologetically Autistic”) come to be?

So I was diagnosed with autism at the age of three, and it’s fair to say that it has been a huge part of my life. Every time I admitted I was autistic, other people in my ‘friend groups’ didn’t really know how to handle it. It wasn’t really until I entered adulthood where I told people about it and they accepted it as a thing, especially during university and my masters. We were even able to make light of it (in a jokey way) in conversations. The point is…it was the first time I felt that my neurotype could be talked about openly and candidly with others, so I was inspired to put some of these experiences and observations into a show, which takes you through what it means to grow up in the middle of the autism spectrum. 

So I take it audiences can expect both light and dark with this show?

There is a lot of lightness to the way I talk about neurodiversity within the show, the reflection on how autism played a part in my development and the observations that are made about autism in the 21st Century. But there are specific moments where it does take a bit of a turn, and opens a lot of eyes to how certain aspects of being autistic can feel somewhat negative. Keep an eye out. They’ll give you a dose of reality. 

No spoilers, obviously, but can you give us a taste of Mine – a highlight you find yourself drawn to?

I would say the nostalgic nature of the piece. Looking at how autism is handled during critical stages of development, such as going to school, university, interacting with social groups and coping with the real world. I find that through the writing and research process, I’m learning a lot more about myself as a person, as well as how much the world has changed for those with autism in terms of the support that is offered and the more compassion there is for those who identify as autistic.

And would you say there’s a specific USP to draw audiences to this show?

It is a very candid and honest depiction about what it means to be an adult on the autism spectrum, which I think has been rarely done in theatre at the moment. I encourage the audience to go along with the observations I make and even have a few laughs during the show. There’s always the temptation to tread on eggshells when writing a piece about autism, but this show lays it all bare to the audience: here it is. This is who I am. There you go. Enjoy.

Who are you hoping will see Mine and what are you hoping they’ll take away with them?

My hopes is that those who identify as autistic will be able to come and see the show, and leave feeling a confidence to tell their stories and talk of their experiences in a way that feels comforting to them. For those who identify as neurotypical, they would come and see that autism is a topic that can be talked about bluntly, and that they shouldn’t feel as though they have to tread on eggshells around someone who identifies as autistic.

Some quick-fire questions now then. Your first experience of theatre/ live performance?

Twelfth Night at Stafford Castle’s Shakespeare in 2007. My mum leaned in at the end of every scene to explain what was going on. Also, it literally rained NON-STOP for three hours, so by the end of the play, the cast were drenched!

Best show you’ve seen this year?

I went to see Phaedra at the National Theatre, and it was PHENOMINAL!! Janet McTeer and the rest of the cast were so engaging and it was such a clever retelling of a classic story. The sets especially were so detailed and so huge! I’d love to be on the National stage in a production of that scale.

Dream role or venue to play?

I could sit here all day listing thing’s I’d love to be in. If it were a Shakespeare, definitely Angelo from Measure For Measure – you love to hate him! If it were a contemporary, there’s a play I’ve been a fan of for years called Immaculate by Oliver Lansley, and I’d love to play Lucifer (the fallen angel). If it were a film, I’d love to be in a Wes Anderson movie. His films are so charming and visually pleasing to look at. Plus most of his characters have a weirdness to them, which I wholeheartedly approve of. So sign me up!

A performance or backstage highlight, “the show must go on”-style?

While performing a Sam Sheppard piece, I accidentally got smacked in the face by one of scene partners, which briefly stopped the scene, until I cursed at him in character and powered on. Oh, did I mention I had mouth braces in at the time? So when he smacked me, the metal cut into my upper lip and I had to go and wash all the blood out of my mouth once I went offstage. Fun times. 

That’s definitely one of the gnarliest stories I’ve had – kudos for powering through that one! So, if you had to name one thing you’d like the power to improve in the industry, what would it be?

I would have it so that there would be more employment opportunities for those who identify as autistic/neurodivergent, such backstage work, behind the scenes, equipment operating or directing roles within smaller professional productions. Those on the spectrum have to work twice as hard to get jobs, so it would be nice if more opportunities in the arts could be accessible for those who identify as neurodiverse. 

Finally then, why should audiences come along to see Mine this August?

This show gives you a view of autism that maybe you’ve never seen before, so get your tickets now!

So there you have it! You can catch Daniel Toney in “Unapologetically Autistic”, or “Mine” at the Canal Cafe Theatre from 18th-20th August 2023 as part of the Camden Fringe. More information and tickets can be found here.